Emissions testing and beeps

[swits]

I had to go get an emisisons test done yesterday and normally when I go, I have to rev up the car for the reading. With the BMW they just hooked something up underneath the steering wheel and that was it. I'm curious as to what they did to get the reading? Did they read it off of the car's computer?

Also, I went up to the mountains yesterday and when the temperature went down to 37, my car beeped twice and I noticed the F if the temp display blinked a couple times. Is this some sort of warning that it might be icey out? Or was it beeping due to something else?

Thanks!

[1996 328ti]

Sounds to me they were reading your OBD.
That basically tells them you have no faults relating to emissions.
In the past cars were driving on rollers. Now in many areas 96+ cars are connected to their computer.

[TiPerformance]

They were just checking to see if there were any codes that were stored in the computer, as for the beeping that is a warning to let you know that there could be ice on the roads.

[swits]

Cool! Sure are smart little cars.

[2ndBimmer]

The OBC beeps if the temp is within 5º F of freezing or lower, as a warning.